AI Starbase overkill?

from Sins Forums

Just bought the entrenchment beta yesterday and I have to say I am loving it. The starbases are implemented well and the greater defenses complements my playing style. So I wanted to first of all thank the guys over at stardock for the hard work they have put into it.

I also just wanted to ask if anyone else was noticing this? When I play against AIs they get a little rediculous with the starbases. I mean a few is cool but by the time the game runs long they have one at like every planet and asteroid? Was it planned to be like this? I just think it would seem more realistic to to have them only at chokepoints or economically important worlds. I don't know if what I am saying could even be done or If anyone else would prefer it my way, but I'm just throwing my two cents out there.

Oh and also It seems the AI doesn't even really use the starbases to the best of their ability. Many times I jumped to an enemy planet with an upgraded starbase backed by a fleet. My fleet was larger, but the starbase along with their fleet could have handled me I think. But the ai just usually turns tail and jumps to another planet and lets the starbase die and the planet fall.

It Just seems to me like the ai go nuts building starbases and neglect their fleet a little bit, and then they don't stick around to defend them.

1,791 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

I've seen the AI build a lot of Starbases then not upgrade them. Game I'm in now is like that. Several worlds have Starbaeses with few or no upgrades, which makes them pretty easy pickings.

 

(I went and put 4 Transciencia's at the Star, 3 of which have max hangers. 62 strikecraft in one well is pretty effective at blocking reinforcements from other stars.)

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

I've noticed this too, AI builds a lot of starbases, but doesn't upgrade them too quickly. Also it seems that the size of the AI fleets has dropped since Entrenchment, but they seem to act more smartly.

As you said, the AI doesn't  take the starbase into consideration in their "Run Away Screaming Like a Little Girl" routine, which makes killing them with Torpedo Cruisers easy. Another thing is that they don't seem make use of the Torpedo Cruisers range when attacking my Starbases, i've managed to save many colonies by just ordering the Starbase to destroy the structure killers first, which come to range since AI uses them as a part of their fleet rather than a separate attack group.

CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

The AI also is on complete "auto-attack" mode, so you can jump in and hold and its fleet will charge you, away from the protection of the starbase.

But some of these things are rather difficult to change. Personally, I would rather the AI build a few less starbases, but upgrade them quickly (I also have not seen a single AI starbase with any of their abilities researched, it's always just passive upgrades). Taking the starbase into account for retreat logic would only work if the fleet stayed with the starbase, otherwise it's false logic if the starbase is nowhere in range to help their fleet.

As of 2.5 at least, the AI is much better at getting starbases upgraded than it was in 1.0.

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

(I also have not seen a single AI starbase with any of their abilities researched, it's always just passive upgrades). Taking the starbase into account for retreat logic would only work if the fleet stayed with the starbase, otherwise it's false logic if the starbase is nowhere in range to help their fleet.
End of quote

Agreed and agreed. I too have never seen the abilities used by the AI, which is obviously a dissapointment and oversight. Also, the fleet AI does need to be reformed to take into account the cost of SB's and their tactical value, but it must be done so as to also take into account that the starbase actually needs to be on 'this side' of the gravity well.

Personally, I don't mind the number of starbases built by AI, as I tend to do the same, using the trade upgrades and culture ones (almost always play as advent) for every world, regardless of whether it is front line. Whether the AI is also doing this is questionable though, especially in light of their obviously not making use of the abilities upgrades (who is to say they are getting the economics ones?)

Hopefully these will all be addressed in this coming patch.. which I am very much hoping is coming out in the next couple of hours -- I have a long long train ride perfectly suited to Sins! \o/

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

who is to say they are getting the economics ones?
End of quote

I'm pretty sure I've seen some starbases that trade ships went to.. but I'll admit I haven't paid too much attention to that. I definitely have seen them with at least fighters.

The issue with the starbase numbers though is more because they are a big resource drain to set up and upgrade. I only play with Unfair AI that gets an good income boost, but for the other difficulties every starbase means that many less credits for ships and fleets are supposed to be the biggest threat.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

Just yesterday, i assaulted an Argonev starbase that had 2 bomber and fighter squadrons, over 10,000 HP with beams and missiles, so they do upgrade them atleaest to some extent. This was at an enemy homeworld, though, rest of the SB's in the system were less upgraded. (Systems of War map)

 

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

Well then I guess my main issue would be the ai not defending their starbases. They ai apparently only takes fleet size into consideration when deciding to fight or flee. A couple times I have jumped in with a bigger fleet but their fleet along with their starbase most likely would have dealt me some considerable losses. I think they just need to have the ai somehow take into account the starbases when deciding when fight or run

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

I also have noticed that AI fleet high tail it when combined with thier SB they could have matched me. I have also noticed when they attack my GW with a SB in it and a back up fleet not so big as their invading fleet they don't retreat until they are desimated. It seems as though they only take into account your fleet size and ignore the fact that there is a SB. So I guess it works both ways.